40 A J GRAY BUILDING LIMITED HOUSE OF THE YEAR <strong>2023</strong> A J Gray BUILDING LIMITED Creating the home you love to live in As a local company, we appreciate the character and history of the <strong>Waikato</strong> and its homes. Whether it's a heritage home in Hamilton, a cozy cottage in the hills, or a family homestead in Cambridge, we want to help to build your story. <strong>Waikato</strong>'s award winning residential building specialist. A passion for excellence Phone Andrew: 027 440 4508 | www.ajgraybuilding.co.nz Renovations | Additions | New builds | Decking
HOUSE OF THE YEAR <strong>2023</strong> A J GRAY BUILDING LIMITED 41 Builder’s Own Home A J GRAY BUILDING LIMITED At first glance, this charming weatherboard home looks as if it has been part of the landscape for decades. That couldn’t be further from the truth, however. It’s recently built and perfectly meets the brief of “a new home filled with character and warmth”. The three-bedroom bungalow-style house with separate garage is intended to be a forever home for the builder and his family. It also showcases meticulous planning, attention to detail and creative customising — all skills requiring true passion for craftsmanship. Spread across 198sqm, the house is not the biggest around, but the 2.7m stud height, wider-than-standard hallway and generous rooms, mean there’s a sense of airiness and plenty of space. The open-plan living, dining and kitchen is large enough for everyone to spread out. Custom cabinetry in the kitchen, living room, media room and laundry adds to the bungalow-style charm. Four separate outdoor areas, some covered, allow the family to thoroughly enjoy the rural surrounds. This dream home has also been built with sustainability in mind. Rainwater is stored, Modern classic Matangi upgraded insulation has been used and a heat-transfer system installed. This character-filled labour of love is warm in every way. - Editorial and images supplied by A J Gray Building Limited A childhood dream come true: the unique story of Ink Architecture Nick Timms’ journey to starting his Cambridge-based firm Ink Architecture was not a traditional one. Yet, with each new role, he picked up vital knowledge that informs the way he works today. Even as a child, Nick Timms knew he would one day start a design business. Having a keen interest in design from a young age, he did a landscape design course after leaving school. However, life would have other plans, sending Nick down a winding road of occupations, from roofing to architecture, that ultimately helped him get to where he is today: Architectural designer and director of his own firm, Ink Architecture. “I don’t come from a family of business owners, but I always had this inkling that I was going to own an architecture business. It’s been challenging, but it’s been rewarding too, just slowly building up more and more knowledge, gaining momentum and confidence.” His journey began after a landscaping opportunity fell through, and he got a job as a roofer. Working on building sites ignited a passion for the design and construction of houses, and Nick often found himself thinking about how he could make spaces better. From roofing Nick enrolled in an architectural technology course, going on to work for a few firms in Cambridge. However, the global financial crisis hit, redundancy followed and Nick ended up in the timber yard at Mitre10. “It was actually really cool to learn about timber sizes, timber treatments, how the frame and truss went together, and gain all that product knowledge.” After Mitre10, Nick started working for a Cambridge builder, gaining valuable on-site experience. “At this stage, I had a bit of experience with architecture, so I was learning what actually gets done on-site, and then comparing that to what needs to be included in drawings, and how often the builders actually look at the drawings.” Following his stint as a builder, Nick returned to Mitre10 as a rep, developing his understanding of pricing. “I started to form this ball of knowledge and I thought this is going to be really helpful if I ever do go out and do my own thing. That’s what gave me the courage to start thinking about the architecture business venture, and voilà, I started Ink Architecture.” Ink Architecture takes a collaborative approach to the design process, with both the client and the entire team heavily involved in the development of a project. After comprehensive consultations with the client, where Nick and his team seek to understand the ins and outs of their lifestyle, budget, and home requirements, the team will come together to brainstorm ideas. “We work really closely with our clients at that conceptual stage. It’s just a matter of putting all our heads together and coming up with the best possible outcome for both parties, because It’s not just our design, it’s our client’s design as well.” With the aid of 3D modelling and VR technology, the team are able to create virtual walkthroughs to help clients visualise their project. After plans and pricing are finalised, the drawings are prepared for building consent, a process managed by the Ink Architecture team. Then, when the build is underway, they conduct regular site visits to assess progress. “We get on with builders quite well, and because of my background, we can talk the builders’ language.” Ink Architecture is a boutique architectural design studio based in Cambridge, New Zealand. Comprised of Nick, Druden, Matthew and Greta, the Ink team work collaboratively with their clients to create, design and develop bespoke designs and construction drawings for all types of homes and projects with stunning results. 47 ALPHA STREET, CAMBRIDGE | PO BOX 982, CAMBRIDGE | 07 823 1194 | 027 66 88 131
Change language